Affiliation:
1. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBERESP (CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health) Madrid Spain
2. Osakidetza Basque Health Service Biodonostia Health Research Institute San Sebástian‐Donostia Spain
3. IMDEA‐Food Institute CEI UAM+CSIC Madrid Spain
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTo examine the association between hearing function, assessed with pure‐tone average (PTA) of air conduction thresholds, and 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in older adults.Study DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingA total of 1404 community‐dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years from the Seniors‐ENRICA cohort were examined.MethodsHearing loss was defined as PTA > 40‐AudCal hearing loss decibels (dB‐aHL) in the better ear for standard frequency (0.5, 1, and 2 kHz), speech frequency (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz), and high frequency (3, 4, and 8 kHz). Circadian BP patterns were calculated as the percentage decline in systolic BP during the night, and participants were classified as dipper, nondipper, and riser. Ambulatory hypertension was defined as BP ≥ 130/80 mm Hg (24 hour), ≥135/85 (daytime), and ≥120/70 (nighttime) or on antihypertensive treatment. Analyses were performed with linear‐ and logistic‐regression models adjusted for the main confounders.ResultsIn multivariable analyses, the PTA was associated with higher nighttime systolic BP [β coefficient per 20 dB‐aHL increment standard frequency (95% confidence interval, CI): 2.41 mm Hg (0.87, 3.95); β (95% CI) per 20 dB‐aHL increment speech frequency 2.17 mm Hg (0.70, 3.64)]. Among hypertensive patients, hearing loss at standard and high‐frequency PTA was associated with the riser BP pattern [odds ratio: 2.01 (95% CI, 1.03‐3.93) and 1.45 (1.00‐2.09), respectively]; also, hearing loss at standard PTA was linked to uncontrolled nighttime BP [1.81 (1.01‐3.24)].ConclusionPTA was associated with higher nighttime BP, and hearing loss with a riser BP pattern and uncontrolled BP in older hypertensives.